Missouri National Guard Association

B Missouri National Guard Association

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be forwarded to: 

Executive Director Missouri 

National Guard Association 

2302 Militia Drive 

Jefferson City, MO 

65101-1203 

denney@mo-nga.org 

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7 

8 

10 

12 

15 

17 

20 

Columbia College receives highest 

honor of Missouri National Guard 

Association 

University of Central Missouri and the 

Missouri Guard – partners in education 

Conference remarks and a thank you 

to the Guard 

The 2013 Annual Conference of the 

Missouri National Guard Association 

The 139th Airlift Wing – a source of 

pride in St. Joseph 

Success in fundraising for resiliency 

center continues – Ameren Missouri 

makes generous lead gift 

Grantham University – Two ways you 

can boost your professional value 

while serving as a Soldier or Airman 

Departments 

3 From the Executive Editor 

4 Past President’s Message 

This unofficial magazine is an authorized publication for 

members of the Missouri National Guard Association. The 

contents are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed 

by, the State of Missouri, the Department of Defense, the 

Missouri National Guard, the National Guard Foundation or 

the Missouri National Guard Association. The appearance 

of advertising in this publication does not constitute 

endorsement by the State of Missouri, the Department of 

Defense, the Missouri National Guard, the National Guard 

Foundation, the Missouri National Guard Association or 

Spring 2013 

ON THE COVER AND ABOVE: Pictures 

from the Truman Battery D induction 

ceremony. 

5 From the Executive Director 

the publisher of this magazine of the firms, products or 

services advertised. 

The Sentinel magazine is published by the Missouri 

National Guard Association to keep its members and the 

surrounding community better informed on the issues and 

events affecting the Missouri National Guard. 

Editorial content is provided by the Missouri National 

Guard Association and the Office of Public Affairs. All 

photographs and graphics are copyrighted to the Missouri 

National Guard Association, unless otherwise indicated. 

THE SENTINEL • Spring 2013 1

MoNGA 

Missouri National Guard Association 

2302 Militia Drive | Jefferson City, Missouri 65101-1203 | 573-632-4240 | mongaonline.com 

___________________ 2013-2014 MoNGA Officers 

* Members of Executive Council 

*President: Barbara S. King, MAJ 

*President-Elect: Timothy M. Jones, Col 

*Past President: Larry D. Crowder, LTC 

*Vice President (Air): Carl Johnson, LtCol 

*Vice President (Army): John Martin, MAJ 

*Secretary: Brenda Randles, SFC 

*Treasurer: Troy Hutchinson, CW2 

Chaplain: Gary Gilmore, COL 

Retired Life Member: Tony Bamvakais, LTC (Ret) 

*Enlisted Committee Chairman: Justin Johnson, TSgt 

Enlisted Committee Chairman-Elect: Kaonis Thomas, 1SG 

Auxiliary President: Susan Jenkins 

Company Grade Rep (Air): Charles Heckert, Capt 

Company Grade Rep (Army): Avinash Ferrao, CPT 

*Executive Director: Joel D. Denney, Ph.D. 

2 Missouri National Guard Association 

_________ 2013-2014 Unit Representatives 

131st Bomb Wing: Gary Leadstrom, CPT 

Barbara Johnson, CMSgt 

139th Airlift Wing: Gordon Meyer, LtCol 

Mark Frye, CMSgt 

157th Area Operations Group: Jason Konciezki, Capt 

Dave Stroup, SMSgt 

Joint Force HQ (Air): Aaron Larimore, MAJ 

Teri Baty, CMSgt 

35th Special Troops Battalion: Mike Woods, MAJ 

Clifford Bailey, 1SG 

35th Combat Aviation Brigade: David Bartlesmeyer, CPT 

Scott Thieret, CSM 

35th Infantry Division: Whitney Hamby, 1LT 

Kimberly Berendzen, SFC 

35th Engineer Brigade: Mike Woods, MAJ 

Clifford Bailey, 1SG 

70th Troop Command: John Breeden, CPT 

Robert Prokopf, MSG 

110th Maneuver Enhancement Jamie Melchert, MAJ 

Brigade: Thomas Henry, SSG 

1107th Theater Aviation: Jennifer Foy, 1LT 

Greg Stumpff, SGM

FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR 

By Mike Roberts, Missouri National Guard Association 

The Missouri National Guard Association 

continues to move onward and 

upward – I can see it and feel it. 

This was on full display during the 

Association’s 66th Annual Conference 

in Springfield in April. Attendance was 

up and our members were motivated. 

And while I’ve attended most MoNGA 

conferences over the last 10 years, this 

one stands out in my mind. For me, the 

conference was notable because my 

membership in the Association is 

becoming tangible. The value of my 

membership is real for a few reasons. 

First, having spent days in Joplin just 

hours after the devastating EF5 tornado 

claimed more than 160 lives in May 2011, 

I was moved by the heartfelt words of 

thanks provided by Dr. C.J. Huff, superintendent 

of the Joplin School District, 

to the men and women of the Missouri 

National Guard for our unwavering support 

to his community. His words captivated 

the crowd, and more than a few tears 

were shed in response to his remarks. 

(See page 10 for Dr. Huff’s speech.) 

The Missouri Guard, and to some 

extent by extension MoNGA, aided in 

the recovery of the small southwest 

Missouri community for several months. 

And while there was a concerted effort 

with local, regional and national assistance, 

the Guard’s impact was substantial 

and noticeable. Dr. Huff very eloquently 

expressed his thoughts and emotions 

for what we did. 

Secondly, I could clearly see the 

results of the tireless efforts of the 

Association’s leadership to build new 

roads, i.e. relationships, to the future. I 

found the professional development 

sessions conducted by experienced 

corporate professionals to be invaluable. 

These sessions were made possible by 

people talking with other people to 

determine how to help each other in a 

DEPARTMENT – leadership>> 

mutually beneficial 

partnership. 

It’s critical now 

more than ever to 

capitalize on the 

available resources 

through relationship building. Our 

members and their families are valuable. 

As we progress through the future, it’s 

important to leverage our value, image 

and reputation for the benefit of our 

members. 

MoNGA continues to strengthen 

existing relationships and establish new 

ones. As the Association grows, the 

benefits of membership become more 

tangible to our members. 

It’s a pleasure to serve as your executive 

editor. As always, I am open to your 

thoughts, suggestions and criticisms. 

Please feel free to contact me by email 

at thesentinel.monga@gmail.com. 


DEPARTMENT – leadership 

Several years 

ago, we had a 

beautiful golden 

retriever named 

Liberty. She came 

to us free from a 

family she had faithfully served for a 

couple of years. Two months later, we 

noticed she was gaining weight and 

appeared to be losing some hair. We 

took her to the vet, “Probably just stress 

of a new home and family,” he said. 

“Shouldn’t be anything to worry about.” 

If stress causes weight gain and hair 

loss then I, and half the people in the 

National Guard, are under an enormous 

amount of stress. 

Anyway, she kept getting fatter and 

lost all her hair. In fact, she didn’t even 

look like a dog anymore – looked more 

like a pig, a post-nuclear holocaust 

mutant pig … people stared. Turns out 

she needed thyroid medication. She 

thinned down and furred up, which is 

good – rubbing sun screen on a naked 

dog is weird! 

Last night, I had a nightmare about 

Liberty. Apparently, the Army had written 

a regulation governing dog ownership. 

My dream began in the receptionist 

office at the veterinarian’s office ... 

“Mr. Crowder, do you have your dog 

ownership training papers?” asks the 

receptionist. 

“What dog ownership training papers?” 

I inquire. 

“The dog ownership training papers 

required by regulation. You can’t proceed 

with the exam if you don’t have 

your dog ownership training papers!” 

“Can we do this exam to keep the ball 

rolling?” I ask, “Then I’ll start the dog 

ownership training. I had to wait five 

weeks to get this appointment!” 

“No!” she yells, “You can’t continue 

with this appointment until the training 

is completed. How can you have an 

appointment if you can’t technically have 

a dog? The classes are offered on the 

second Tuesday in months beginning 

with an ‘M’ or ‘S’ and in the month of June 

on even years, or you can take them 

online.” 

I complete 16 hours of online training, 

reschedule Liberty’s appointment, go to 

the appointment, then to several followon 

specialist appointments, finally receive 

the diagnosis, then wait for the treatment 


PAST PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

By Larry Crowder, Missouri National Guard Association 

to be authorized and, only nine months 

after the first appointment, pick up the 

medication. In the meantime, neighborhood 

children aren’t allowed to pet the 

“Chernobyl pig dog.” No love for Liberty. 

Good news, she’s ultimately found fit 

for pet duty. The wife and kids are ecstatic! 

The stress has been tough on me, 

I’ve gained 12 pounds and all my back 

hair has fallen out. 

The Crowders are excited. We can 

now begin our relaxing dog partnership. 

Well, almost. According to the Army Dog 

regulation, we have an annual inspection 

due. The “Dog Talker,” or whatever the 

heck his name is, now works for the 

Inspector General. He’ll just swing by for 

a few hours, sitting silently out of the 

way, and observe. His checklist can be 

found in the regulation. We make a copy 

and spend the next 12 weeks preparing 

for his visit. Vigilantly, we prepare. Inspection 

day is upon us and he observes. 

Ninety days later, the report arrives, we 

passed except for one re-look, paragraph 

4-1, section E-2, or as Army dog owners 

call it – the unreasonable turtle clause. 

Apparently, by Army Dog regulations, 

you can’t maintain a turtle and dog in 

the same household. The boys have a 

turtle, and the turtle has to go. They’re 

upset; they love Corky the turtle. Lisa’s 

upset; he eats all the leftover lettuce 

and carrot ends. Army regulations are 

quite clear, now that I’ve read them: it’s 

either the dog or the turtle. Corky is 

ceremoniously set free that very afternoon. 

Tears were shed, goodbyes said 

and Corky crept away, decorated with 

the boys names painted on his back – it 

was very emotional. 

Of course it was far more emotional 

the next morning when Corky was found 

flattened like a psychedelic Frisbee with 

colors of red, yellow and purple, the 

apparent victim of an uncaring trash truck. 

“That stupid regulation killed Corky!” 

Lisa yelled. 

“Technically, 18 tons of trash truck 

killed Corky.” I smirked ... her bony fist 

connected just above my right elbow. 

She hit me so hard it killed the little toe 

on my left foot. 

Anyway, more stress. I’ve gained an 

additional six pounds, and all the hair on 

my right leg has fallen off. 

Okay, re-look over; the Crowders are 

ready to enjoy Liberty the golden retriever, 

play a little fetch, chase squirrels and 

terrorize cats. “Come on boys; let’s take 

Liberty to the park, it’s a great day!” 

“Dad, we can’t find Liberty.” My kids 

call out ... Liberty has run off. 

Apparently, walking around naked in 

public due to delayed medical care, nine 

months of sun tan lotion rub downs and, 

the final straw, being ignored due to 

inspection preparations, did her in – she 

was done! 

This is terrible. Everyone’s mad and 

the Missouri National Guard dog owner 

statistics are in the red because of the 

Crowders. Sadly, I’m so busy with mandatory 

Army stuff, I can’t take the time to 

actually find her. I follow the dog regulations, 

they say to send her an email, 

hopefully she can login, try to call her on 

the phone and then send three letters 30 

days apart. Per regulation, after 90 days, 

the dog can’t be allowed back in the 

house. You can try to do an “exception 

to policy,” but those take months, sometimes 

years – we just don’t have the 

energy to carry on. 

Sadly, Liberty has been reduced to a 

stack of papers in a cabinet, information 

on spreadsheets and a few photos in my 

computer. We don’t talk of her much 

anymore; I guess we’ve moved on. 

The stress finally got me – complete 

hair loss coupled with weight-gain, ulcers 

… a couple of teeth have fallen out. I’m 

being medically discharged from the Army. 

My fate is set, my days are numbered, 

and my future is in the hands of an 

unstoppable process. Regretfully, in a 

mere four to six years, I’ll be moving on. 

We now have a cat. It’s not a dog, but 

currently there are no Army cat regulations. 

Liberty was taken in by another 

military family, not an Army family, but a 

nice Air Guard family. I see them out 

walking, loving life, smiling, playful, having 

fun – it’s good to see true happiness 

has filled Liberty’s soul. 

“Larry, wake up. You’re dreaming!” 

Lisa yells. “You keep trying to throw 

something.” 

In my dream, the cold bite of winter 

had invaded Jefferson City. A few fellow 

Army cat owners and I lured Liberty’s 

family into an L-shaped ambush and 

pummeled them with snowballs. 

I had trouble falling back asleep, 

“Just who the hell do those Air Guard 

guys think they are!”

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

By Dr. Joel D. Denney, Missouri National Guard Association 

A few days ago, I heard a longtime 

Missouri Guardsmen say this: “There are 

two very important things to remember if 

you are in the National Guard. First, 

keep in mind that there is life after Guard 

service ends. Second, take advantage 

of every opportunity available to you as a 

Guardsman to improve your education, 

training, and skill set.” 

I thought this was sage advice. As 

such, about the only constant any more 

is the fact that change will continue to 

happen throughout life. A quality education 

is an asset in dealing with change. 

The advice recognizes that there are 

education and training opportunities 

that are available to Missouri Guardsmen 

that are not available to others. This can 

give Missouri Guardsmen an edge in 

preparing for life’s changes – an edge of 

which Soldiers and Airmen should avail 

themselves. 

In different pieces in this issue of the 

Sentinel, there is information about 

three higher education institutions in 

Missouri that clearly are “Guard friendly” 

– Columbia College, Grantham University 

and the University of Central Missouri. 

There are other institutions in the Show- 

Me State that are also “Guard friendly” 

– in future issues of the Sentinel we will 

call your attention to some of them. To 

all these institutions, we are appreciative 

of the dedication they have demonstrated 

to Missouri’s citizen Soldiers – 

making them better Guardsmen and 

getting them ready for life after Guard 

Missouri National Guard 

Retirees – 

You can continue to serve! 

Missouri needs volunters for the 

Missouri Reserve Military Force. 

The Reserve Force provides a 

unique opportunity for utilizing 

your military leadership skills to 

continue serving our state and 

nation. To learn more or become 

a volunteer member of the MRF, 

contact the Office of the Adjutant 

General at 573-638-9890 or 

573-638-9633. 

service. And we are also appreciative of 

their support for the Missouri National 

Guard Association through their financial 

gifts, in-kind contributions and corporate 

membership. 

I continue to be honored to serve 

you. And I continue to believe that the 

“Guard is right for America.” Feel free 

DEPARTMENT – leadership>> 

to contact me in 

the Association’s 

office at Missouri 

National Guard 

Headquarters by 

telephone at 573-632-4240 or by email 

at denney@mo-nga.org. 


Columbia College receives highest honor 

of Missouri National Guard Association 

Institution is 

the first inducted 

in the Order of 

Truman Battery D 

By the Sentinel Staff 

April 20, 2013, was a historic mark 

for the Missouri National Guard Association. 

On that evening, the inaugural Order 

of Truman Battery D was conferred on 

its first recipient – Columbia College. 

The institution was inducted into the 

Order of Truman Battery D at the 66th 

Annual Conference of the Association in 

Springfield. LTC Larry D. Crowder, the 

Association’s president, presided over 

the induction ceremony. Among those 

participating in the ceremony were 

MG Stephen L. Danner, The Adjutant 

General, Missouri National Guard, 

and Dr. Gerald T. Brouder, president, 

Columbia College. 

In conferring the honor, Crowder 

noted that the state of Missouri is most 

blessed to have a number of higher 

education entities that are “Guard 

friendly.” The Order is reserved for those 

institutions and individuals that lead the 

way through longstanding service to 

Soldiers and Airmen, in-kind contributions 

to the Association, participation in 

Association events and direct financial 

gifts. In the case of colleges and universities, 

the institutions must also have 

exemplary programs and offerings 

focused on Soldiers and Airmen. “Good 

stuff,” said Crowder. “Columbia College’s 

record of service to Soldiers and Airmen 

and commitment to the Association is 

rich. Columbia College has earned this 

high honor.” 

The Order of Truman Battery D was 

recently established – in late 2012. “We 

know there are institutions considering 

pursuit of the honor, but frankly, we 

have been impressed with the speed at 

which it is being embraced,” Crowder 

said. The induction ceremony for the 

Order of Truman Battery D will take 

place at each future annual conference 

of the Association. Crowder added that 

we anticipate a number of other institutions, 

and perhaps some individuals, 

will be inducted into the Order at the 

Association’s 67th annual gathering. 

The proclamation naming Columbia College to the Order of Truman Battery D. 

Information about the Order of Truman 

Battery D can be obtained from Dr. Joel 

Denney, the Association’s executive 

director. 

Established in 1851, Columbia College 

is a private, not-for-profit, coeducational 

liberal arts and sciences college that 

offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s 

degrees. The college serves nearly 

25,000 students each year in 13 states, 

with 18 campuses on military bases, 

including Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The 

institution specializes in adult and 

military education. 

LTC Larry D. Crowder, Association president, Dr. Gerald T. Brouder, president of 

Columbia College, Katie Steele Danner, MG Stephen Danner, Adjutant General, 

Missouri National Guard. Columbia College was the first inductee into the Order of 

Truman Battery D at the 66th Annual Conference of the Missouri National Guard 

Association in Springfield, April 20. 


By Sentinel Staff and Jeff Murphy, UCM 

In what was an otherwise cold, snowy 

day some weeks ago, the atmosphere 

inside the Multipurpose Building of 

the University of Central Missouri in 

Warrensburg was filled with the warmth 

of families, friends and members of the 

campus community as they joined in 

wishing 300 Missouri National Guard 

members well on their deployment to 

Afghanistan. 

Signifying the university’s commitment 

to the National Guard beyond this 

particular ceremony, UCM President 

Charles Ambrose reminded the men and 

women in uniform that, while tasks may 

differ, the university shares a mission of 

service with the military. “We are part of 

your hometown team,” he told the 

1-135th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion. 

“For your dependents, family members 

and kids, if there are needs that you have 

while you are deployed, and we can 

help meet them, we are here for you. 

Please let them (family members) know 

all they have to do is ask.” 

Since Ambrose became UCM’s 15th 

president in August 2010, the sentiment 

Military and Veterans Success Center at UCM. 


University of Central Missouri and the 

Missouri Guard – partners in education 

he expressed that afternoon has been 

visible in a number of ways as UCM 

seeks to become an institution of choice 

for active duty military members and 

veterans. Recent initiatives address 

specific educational needs for the 

Missouri National Guard while also providing 

opportunities that are available to 

individuals who either serve or have 

retired within all branches of the service. 

To help make such opportunities 

possible, Ambrose turned to Lynn Lowder, 

a seasoned businessman and a highly 

decorated Marine combat veteran who 

served in Vietnam. He became the 

university’s first director of Military and 

Veteran Services in January 2012. “We 

want to be able to make a difference in as 

many lives as we can,” said Lowder, who 

added that the university appreciates 

all opportunities to collaborate with the 

MoNG. 

One such opportunity is through a 

Memorandum of Agreement which was 

entered into between the Guard and 

UCM in 2012 to establish and continue 

the operation of a Telecommunications 

Community Resource Center. This 

cooperative venture is leading to educa- 

tional programming and training for 

residents of surrounding communities, 

MoNG personnel and Guard personnel 

nationwide. 

Services that will result from the 

agreement include credit and noncredit 

courses and programs, short-term professional 

development and training, 

web streaming, video conferencing and 

media support functions related to 

economic development, and production 

of educational materials. 

Lowder said one of the university’s 

goals is to extend its online course offerings 

so that more military personnel can 

take classes at their convenience, even 

while they are deployed. 

The university wants to help Guard 

members who want to further their 

education to advance their current career, 

as well as those who may be retiring 

from military service and are looking for 

a career change. Many of them will be 

interested in fulfilling general education 

requirements, but UCM will expand 

course offerings so that more complete 

degrees can be achieved online. 

For example, the university plans to 

offer an online bachelor’s degree this 

fall in crisis and disaster management, 

which Lowder stressed is very consistent 

with the role MoNG members often 

play as first responders in a disaster 

situation. UCM is also pursuing other 

opportunities to provide new online 

degrees in criminal justice, general 

studies and business administration. 

“This is a great opportunity for the 

university to work side by side with the 

National Guard in Missouri and provide 

relevant educational opportunities,” 

Lowder said. 

While the TCRC will open many new 

educational doors, UCM has demonstrated 

its commitment to better serving 

the military through a number of other 

initiatives. These include the annual 

Military Appreciation Day, offering aviation 

courses at Whiteman Air Force Base, 

establishing a Military Tuition Package 

that eliminates certain fees not covered by 

military benefits, and creating a full-service, 

“best in class” Military and Veterans 

Success Center. The center opened on 

Veterans Day 2011 in about 1,500 square 

feet of space located on the lower level 

of the Elliott Union. The facility allows the 

university to assist military and veteran

students to be successful in their education 

by providing individual and group 

study areas, computer workstations and 

dedicated staff. It also allows the university 

to assist veterans who want to transition 

from the military into civilian careers. 

“Our veterans need a place they can 

come to that is safe and secure and will 

help them get on with the next phase 

of their lives,” Lowder said. “We want 

to show them that UCM offers a wonderful 

environment where all servicemen 

and women will feel welcome and 

appreciated.” 

Lowder gets strong support from staff 

members such as Delilah Nichols, who 

coordinates a wide range of center 

activities including special programs for 

service members and regular visits from 

mental wellness counselors from the 

Kansas City Vet Center. These individuals 

work closely with men and women who 

are having difficulty transitioning to life 

after combat. 

“I look at the Military and Veterans 

Success Center as a mission field – as a 

healing center,” Nichols said. “Students 

come in, especially the combat veterans, 

with these blinders on, and they don’t 

really want to talk to anybody. But in the 

center, when they hear other combat 

veterans talking about their experiences, 

they start listening. And pretty soon they 

start talking. And when they see how the 

other students get help they are more 

likely to acknowledge they need help, 

and when they see success stories, they 

know there is hope.” 

UCM is also working with spouses 

and children of veterans to help them 

develop critical skills they need to support 

their veterans while managing the 

challenges encountered after their 

return home from service. 

The Kognito Interactive program, 

“Family of Heroes,” is a confidential, onehour, 

avatar-based, online simulation 

program that teaches family members 

how to identify post-traumatic stress 

disorder and suicidal intent and how to 

connect the veteran with resources. The 

program is being implemented by the 

Military and Veterans Success Center 

with funding from the Missouri Suicide 

Prevention Project under a grant provided 

from the Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration of the 

U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services. Missouri Partners in Prevention, 

the Missouri Institute of Mental Health at 

the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and 

Military Appreciation Day at UCM. 

the Missouri Department of Mental Health 

are also helping to make it possible. 

UCM looks forward to its continued 

collaboration with the Missouri National 

Guard. 

Any members who want to learn 

more about educational services offered 

at the university specifically for the men 

and women of the Missouri National 

Guard are encouraged to contact Lynn 

Lowder via email at lowder@ucmo.edu, 

Delilah Nichols at nichols@ucmo.edu 

or visit the Office of Military and Veteran 

Services at www.ucmo.edu/vets/. 


Conference remarks and a thank you to the Guard 

By Dr. C.J. Huff, superintendent, Joplin Public Schools 

On May 22, 2011, an EF-5 tornado struck the community of Joplin. The tornado ranks as the one of the deadliest 

and costliest in U.S. history. The Missouri National Guard played a key role in the response to and recovery from the 

tornado’s devastation. On April 20, 2013, at the Annual Conference of the Missouri National Guard Association, Dr. 

C.J. Huff, superintendent of Joplin Public Schools, offered the remarks below to express the gratitude of the Joplin 

community for the effort of the Missouri Guard in the tornado’s aftermath. 

“When I was a kid I 

used to play Soldier 

with my friends from 

time to time. I didn’t 

come from a family 

with a military background, 

but my mom 

and dad did instill 

in me and my two 

younger brothers a love of country, the 

value of service before self, and a deep, 

deep respect for the sacrifices of the 

men and women who volunteer to 

protect our liberty. They engrained that 

ideal in me deeply. So much so, in many 

ways I don’t feel worthy to stand before 

you today. I’m truly grateful and honored 

to have this opportunity. 

I realize that I stand before leaders. 

And that being the case, I can’t help but 


begin my visit with you today with a quote 

I picked up some 15 years ago in a book 

called “Leadership is an Art” by Max 

Dupree. I have carried this quote with me 

since the day I read it. The quote starts 

like this … “The first responsibility of a 

leader is to define reality.” 

Little did I know when I woke up on 

Sunday morning on May 22 that would 

be the last sleep I would get for 66 hours. 

As you know, May 22, 2011, at 5:41 

p.m., our reality in Joplin was redefined. 

In 32 minutes, an EF-5 tornado with 

winds in excess of 200 mph damaged or 

destroyed 8,000 homes, 400 businesses, 

some 18,000 vehicles and stole the lives 

of 161 of our friends and neighbors. 

As a school district, we had lost much: 

10 buildings damaged or destroyed, 

4,700 kids with no school to attend, 

3,000 children who lived in the disaster 

zone … seven of my (school) children 

and one of my staff members taken away 

from our school family. 

That storm did not discriminate … it 

brought with it more havoc and chaos to 

our peaceful part of the world than most 

all of us had ever seen in our lives. No one 

in our community was left unscathed. 

After my wife, Jennifer, and I got out 

of the basement, we made our way into 

town. I was trying to get to my office … 

at around 22nd and Connecticut the 

debris was too heavy to go any further. 

I remember thinking to myself that it 

didn’t feel safe and that what lay ahead 

of me was nothing my wife needed to 

experience. So I stopped the car in the 

middle of the street, grabbed my work 

gloves, jacket and cell phone. I kissed 

her goodbye, told her I’d be OK and that 

she needed to go to her mom’s to be 

with our three children. 

As I made my way through the debris, 

I still remember the faces of the injured; 

I still hear the shouts of neighbors and 

family members crying the names of lost 

loved ones as they searched through 

the wreckage … the EMT’s watching 

over the body of an elderly woman lying 

in the street, the rancid smell of smoke 

and natural gas, the mustiness of wet 

lumber and insulation. 

For all practical purposes I was lost 

… nothing looked the same. There were 

no points of reference. Our new reality in 

the immediate aftermath of that storm 

was one of chaos and hopelessness. 

I share this story with you only 

because it is not just my story, but the 

story of tens of thousands of Missourians 

who experienced the most costly tornado 

in U.S. history up close and personal. 

Joplinites woke up on that Sunday 

morning in May to go about their day … 

worshiping in our churches, spending 

time with family, going to the store and 

even celebrating high school graduation. 

Enjoying the freedoms that each one of 

you in this room today have made 

possible. Freedoms we all too often take

for granted had been taken from us by 

an unexpected enemy. 

Temporarily… 

Unbeknownst to us, on the other end 

of the state, a large contingent of the 

Missouri National Guard had been dealing 

with another natural disaster and 

were headed home to their families. 

But duty called … Gov. Nixon had 

already given the order. Gen. Danner 

mobilized the Guard, and these Guardsmen 

and women as well as many others 

were headed our way. 

Now, I’ve been an educator for 17 

years … I was an elementary teacher 

and elementary principal before I 

became a superintendent. 

And I love my job. I love kids. And 

every day I come to work, give it everything 

I’ve got, and hope in some small 

way I’ve made a difference. 

I’ve not walked in your shoes, but I 

suspect sometimes you wonder whether 

or not you really make a difference too. 

The sacrifices you make as a citizen 

Soldier have to be great. I honestly can’t 

imagine. 

Several weeks into the recovery effort 

after [I had been] working 16-18 hours a 

day, seven days a week, my wife recognized 

that I needed a break, and the 

kids needed their dad back, so she did 

an intervention. Quite frankly … she’s 

good at that. 

She made arrangements for me to 

take my son Keaton to play laser tag. 

I don’t know about all of you, but I 

suspect sometimes you make promises 

to your kids. Prior to May 22, I had 

promised my son that we would be fishing 

and camping a lot that summer. That 

storm took the opportunity to make 

those special memories away from us. 

Consequently, when we loaded up in 

the car that day to go play laser tag, I felt 

a strong sense of guilt. So at some point 

while we were driving to Laser City, I felt 

the need to apologize to him for not 

keeping my promises … so I did. And as 

you might expect my 9-year-old boy 

simply said, “It’s OK, Dad.” 

But I didn’t let it go. I said to him, 

“Son, I made you promises that I can’t 

keep. It’s not OK to me.” Now what he 

said next forced me to pull over. 

Again he said, “It’s OK, Dad …” and 

then he followed it with “You’re helping 

people, and THAT is the most important 

thing.” At 9 years old, he understood the 

mission. He was willing to do his part. 

Willing to make his sacrifice to see that 

mission through. 

I share this story with you, because I 

suspect sometimes you wonder whether 

or not you are making a difference and 

whether or not anyone even notices. 

When you rolled into Joplin that 

first night, I remember seeing the first 

Hummer, then another and another. 

Concerned, but smiling, Guardsmen 

and women … there to help us. 

In addition to bringing Soldiers and 

equipment, you brought the gifts of safety 

and security, peace of mind – HOPE. 

In effect, we’d been sucker-punched 

by Mother Nature. But shortly after we 

were knocked down, you were there. You 

quickly brought order to the unwelcomed 

chaos that Mother Nature had brought 

to Joplin. You gave us a hand up. You 

helped us get back on our feet. We 

squared our shoulders, and we punched 

her right back. 

Ladies and gentleman … what 

happened in the hours, days, weeks 

and months following that storm was 

Joplin’s finest hour, and you were very 

much a part of it. Together, we showed 

the world what we are made of right 

here in Missouri. 

Now Dupree’s quote that I had mentioned 

at the beginning of my comments 

actually has two parts. Again, Dupree 

believes first and foremost the responsibility 

of a leader is to define reality. I do 

believe that to be true. 

But he also says, “The last responsibility 

of a leader is to say thank you ...” 

On the night of May 22, 2011, my 

prayers were with 7,747 missing children 

and 1,200 educators that I have the 

privilege to serve. 

However, from that day ... until today 

... and every day hereafter, my prayer 

has been and always will be that God 

allows me to live long enough to repay 

the debt of gratitude I owe to those who 

came to our aid. 

So on behalf of eternally grateful 

Joplin Schools and Joplin community, I 

thank you for offering us your hearts, 

your hands AND your hummers. 

And if you ever wonder whether or 

not the sacrifices you make as a citizen 

Soldier are making a difference, I ask 

that you simply remember the words of 

my son. Whether you are here or abroad, 

“You are helping people and THAT is 

the most important thing.” 

We are so proud of you … Thank you 

and God bless.” 

See additional conference coverage on 

page 12. 


The 2013 Annual Conference of the Missouri 

National Guard Association 

The 2013 Annual Conference of the Missouri National Guard Association was held on April 19-20 in Springfield. 

Professional development, the conduct of Association business, including the election of Association officers for 2013-2014, 

and a formal banquet were part of this year’s event. Following are selected photographs from the conference. The photos 

are courtesy of Matthew Wilson. 

MG Danner gives remarks at the conference banquet. 

The 2013 Association Scholarship recipients with SFC Kim 

Berendzen, middle, scholarship committee chairperson. Left to 

right: Lance Dell, Paige Alewell, SFC Berendzen, Shelby 

Chaney and SPC Donny Attaway. 

COL Will Blaylock and BG Randy Alewel. 


LTC Crowder acknowledges the contribution of his family during his term 

as Association president. 

LTC Ed Gargas is chairperson 

of the Association’s Insurance 

Committee. 

SFC Brenda Randles sports 

fashionable eyewear at the 

banquet. 

MAJ Barb King expresses her 

gratitude and honor for being 

elected as the next Association 

president. 

MAJ Mike Roberts, CW4 Ken Struemph and CW5 Michelle Struemph. 

Roberts is the executive editor of The Sentinel magazine.

Brig Gen David Newman was interviewed by one of the television 

reporters covering the conference. 

CSM Will Pierce and CMSgt Laura Clark. 

COL B.J. Thomas and Mrs. Thomas. 

Left to right: Kelly King, MAJ Barb King, Lisa 

Crowder, LTC Crowder. After the conference, MAJ 

King commenced her term as president of the 

Missouri National Guard Association. 

MG and Mrs. Danner during the conference banquet. 

A special thank you – 

By Sentinel Staff 

We would like to recognize the 2013 Missouri National 

Guard Association Conference Committee. These individuals 

volunteered their time to help coordinate all facets of the conference. 

The extra effort that the committee put forth contributed 

to the success of the conference! The next time you see any 

of these individuals, please take time to thank them for 

all they did for the MoNGA conference: COL William Thomas, 

COL John Oberkirsch with Mark Wilson and Alex Bach of 

Grantham University. 

BG Greg Mason, Brig Gen Greg and 

Mrs. Champagne. 

Col Timothy and Mrs. Jones – Col 

Jones is the Association’s presidentelect. 

MAJ Vaughn Brown, MAJ Shawn McCroskey, MAJ Brett 

Snyder, MAJ. Leif Thompson, CPT Adam Mankey, 1LT Jennifer 

Foy, CW4 James Williams, CW3 Adam Kirk, CW2 Bruce Daniel, 

CW2 Richard Lawrence, CSM Jack Lambeth, SGM Lonnie 

Brandon, MSG Leslie Clancy, SFC Brenda Randles, SGT Rachel 

O’Connell, Michael Lewis. 


The 139th Airlift Wing – a source of pride in St. Joseph 

Washington, D.C., 

Fly-In focuses on 

airlift wing needs 

By Sentinel Staff with Kristi Bailey, 

St. Joseph Metro Chamber 

In St. Joseph, the Missouri Air National 

Guard is more than just another valued 

employer – it is a source of pride. Its 

residents feel so strongly about maintaining 

and strengthening the 139th Airlift 

Wing that a group of 25 business and 

community leaders went to the Pentagon 

and Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., 

recently to defend it from possible future 

cuts. Dr. Joel Denney, executive director, 

Missouri National Guard Association, also 

accompanied the St. Joseph delegation. 

“The strength of the National Guard is 

that it’s embedded in the community,” 

said Col Mike Pankau, commander of 

the 139th Airlift Wing. “I know of no other 

community that supports the National 

Guard more than St. Joseph does.” The 

St. Joseph Metro Chamber has led a 

delegation to Washington, D.C., for fifteen 

years to talk with federal legislators and 

other policymakers about the needs of 

St. Joseph and Northwest Missouri. 

Those discussions always included 

multiple issues, like public safety, communication 

and infrastructure needs. 

But this year, the group focused solely 

on showing its support for the 139th Airlift 

Wing of the Missouri Air National Guard. 

Denney echoed the words of Pankau 

saying that the level and sustained 

support for the Missouri Guard in St. 

Joseph over many, many years is a 

model for other communities to emulate. 

“On previous Washington, D.C., Fly-In 

events, it was not uncommon for us to 

select six to eight areas of focus,” said 

Steve Johnston, director of the Community 

Alliance of St. Joseph, who coordinated 

the event. “In 2013, we chose to 

capitalize on our strengths and focus on 

the 139th Airlift Wing of the Missouri Air 

National Guard, and a natural parallel, 

Missouri River levees. We are fortunate 

that MG Stephen L. Danner, Missouri’s 

Adjutant General, was chosen as chairman 

of the board of directors of the 

National Guard Association of the United 

States last September. Additionally, 

GEN Frank J. Grass, a native of Missouri, 

is chief of the National Guard Bureau 

and a member of the Joint Chiefs of 

Staff. This combination prompted us to 

Left to right: R.T. Turner, Buchanan County Commissioner, Dr. Denney, Sen. Claire 

McCaskill and Bill Falkner, mayor, at the St. Joseph Fly-In. 

pursue opportunities at the Pentagon 

and NGAUS – and reinforce the stellar 

leadership of the National Guard being 

given by Generals Grass and Danner. 

Equally important, Missouri Senators 

Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt are both 

on the Armed Services Committee. 

Missouri has very strong leadership on 

military issues in Washington, D.C.” 

Immediately upon arriving in 

Washington, D.C., the delegation traveled 

to the Pentagon to meet with Lt Gen 

Joseph L. Lengyel, vice chief, National 

Guard Bureau and Brig Gen Bruce 

Prunk. They discussed the economic 

impact the wing has on the Northwest 

Missouri region and how the area will 

support the Guard in the future. This 

is in preparation for the potential 

2015 Base Realignment and Closure 

Commission cuts. In 2005, citizen-led 

efforts helped keep bases in Delaware 

and West Virginia open in the face of 

BRAC cuts, Pankau said. “The chamber 

and the city of St. Joseph support the 

Guard more than anything I’ve ever 

seen,” Pankau said. “If it comes down to 

community support, I have nothing to 

worry about. There’s not a day that goes 

by where I don’t talk with the city 

manager, sheriff, mayor, public works 

director, or someone with the chamber.” 

On their second day, the Fly-In group 

traveled to Capitol Hill and spoke with 

Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill 

and Congressman Sam Graves. The 

focus of these discussions remained on 

the 139th Airlift Wing, with the topic 

shifting slightly to support for Missouri 

River levees that affect the Guard. 

The economic impact the Guard has 

on St. Joseph and the Northwest 

Missouri region is significant – more 

than $148 million annually. This number 

includes salaries, training and construction. 

During all visits in D.C., the Fly-In 

group stressed the economic impact of 

the Missouri Guard on Northwest 

Missouri. “The 139th represents a major 

employer in St. Joseph as well as a 

source of pride for the community,” said 

R. Patt Lilly, president and CEO of the 

St. Joseph Metro Chamber. “Their impact 

to the local economy is felt in their 

payroll, their purchase of local goods 

and services, as well as from the expenditures 

of out-of-town air crews who 

come to St. Joseph for tactical training.” 

Keeping the Guard in St. Joseph is very 

important. “Our goal is to maintain and 

grow operations within the 139th Airlift 

Wing,” Johnston said. 

The delegation spoke about the 

139th Airlift Wing’s needs and desires, 

which include acquiring C-130J aircraft 

to maintain a commonality of aircraft 

with the active duty. It also hopes to add 

the legacy C-130 weapons instructor 

course to the portfolio of its Advanced 

Airlift Tactics Training Center. This 

course provides Ph.D.-level leadership 

and tactics training to the airlift fleet. The 

wing would also like to obtain a C-130 

simulator. Since St. Joseph is home to 

the AATTC, it makes St. Joseph one of 

the largest concentrations of C-130 

pilots without a simulator. 

Pankau said that he has very strong 

confidence in St. Joseph leaders – they 

will never forget the Airlift Wing, and the 

St. Joseph community leadership will 

always be there when we need them. The 

plight of the Airlift Wing is always in the 

minds of the leadership, he says. Pankau 

also noted that while the Fly-In is a 

tradition, following up on discussions in 

D.C. that take place during Fly-Ins is also 

a tradition – a follow-up meeting with 

Blunt that took place in St. Joseph a few 

days after the Fly-In has already been 

held. “We remember what our legislators 

tell us. They know that as well.” 


Success in fundraising for resiliency center continues 

– Ameren Missouri makes generous lead gift 

By Sentinel Staff 

Thanks to the beneficence of Ameren 

Missouri and others, the Missouri 

National Guard will soon have a resiliency 

center overlooking the Missouri River 

at Missouri National Guard Head- 

quarters. According to retired LTC Tony 

Bamvakais, state military executive to 

The Adjutant General and executive 

director of the Missouri National Guard 

Foundation, fundraising for the project 

has now reached the halfway mark. 

Construction on the center will begin 

soon – in just a few months. 

Ameren Missouri provided a significant 

lead gift for the project, $250,000. Other 

lead contributors for the center include 

David L. Steward, chairman of the board 

of World Wide Technology, Inc., $25,000; 

and, $15,000 from JE Dunn Construction 

Company. A range of smaller gifts has 

been received for the center totaling 

about $16,000. 

According to Bamvakais, the center 

will enhance initiatives of the Missouri 

National Guard in providing support to 

Soldiers and Airmen. “Clearly,” Bamvakais 

says, “the center is a pro active measure 

that will better position us in responding 

to the challenges that sometimes 

accompany the self-less service of 

Guardsmen and the impact of this service 

on their families.” Among these challenges 

is the stress of family separation 

and a number of behavioral health issues 

with connection to deployments. 

The Missouri National Guard Foundation, 

a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity, is 

serving as the fundraising arm for the 

resiliency center. Upon completion of 

the center’s construction, the foundation 

will donate the structure to the Missouri 

National Guard. All gifts for the center 

are tax deductible. 

Despite the success of the center’s 

fundraising to date, Bamvakais noted 

that help is still needed to complete 

The new resiliency center, Ike Shelton 

Training Site, Missouri National Guard. 

the project and reach the funding goal 

of $600,000. Contributions can be made 

online at the foundation’s web site, 

www.mongf.org, by clicking on “Donate” 

or checks payable to the Missouri National 

Guard Foundation for the resiliency 

center can be mailed to the Missouri 

National Guard Foundation, 2302 Militia 

Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65101. If you 

have questions about contributing to the 

center, phone 573-659-0632. 


Join the 

Missouri Guard 

Association 

for the 

3 Man 

Scramble 

August 

17-18, 2013 

Questions? 

Please contact 

Brian Hatch 

573-673-3305 

or 

brianhatcher@ 

yahoo.com

Two ways you can boost your professional value while serving as a Soldier or Airman 

Value is defined as “The regard that 

something is held to deserve; the importance, 

worth or usefulness of something” 

(Oxford Dictionaries). Soldiers and Airmen 

who want to advance in their careers 

should consider boosting their value 

through education and professional 

organizations. 

Pursuing a Formal Education 

Research shows us that the more 

education you receive in your lifetime, 

the greater your earning potential 

becomes. In addition, you will also lower 

your unemployment risk and increase 

your opportunity for getting promoted in 

your current job or landing a new job. 

(Bureau of Labor Statistics, Education 

Pays, 2013). 

MAJ Brett Cooper, Missouri National 

Guard, is pursuing his degree because, 

“Within my military career and my civilian 


career, the level of competition continues 

to increase. I want to do everything I can 

to make myself the best that I can be 

and marketable both within the both the 

Missouri National Guard and the civilian 

market.” 

You may be saying, there is no way I 

have time to go back to school between 

work, the National Guard and family 

responsibilities. While a traditional college 

classroom may not be an option, have 

you considered taking classes online? 

Online learning gives you the ability to 

study and submit assignments when 

and where it is convenient for you – as 

long as you meet the course deadlines. 

Grantham University, headquartered 

in Kansas City, has been meeting the 

educational needs of service members 

and veterans for more than 60 years. 

Grantham offers college degree programs 

that are 100 percent online and 

By the Sentinel Staff and 

Johanna Altland, Grantham University 

are flexible and affordable. Scholarships 

for service members, veterans and military 

family members are available. 

SGT Adam Houston of the Missouri 

Guard certainly understands the flexibility 

that Grantham offers. He chose Grantham 

University for his MBA because of this 

flexibility and the online options for 

classwork. Says Houston, “Having a 

family and work, it is nearly impossible 

to attend a traditional classroom setting. 

With the flexible hours, I am able to 

attend college, spend time with my family, 

and continue my full-time job.” 

(Active) Engagement in 

Professional Organizations 

Joining professional organizations, like 

the Missouri National Guard Association, 

not only demonstrates the importance 

you place on getting involved and 

broadening your knowledge, but also 

opens up a variety of networking and 

career opportunities. Furthermore, professional 

membership organizations are 

there to help and serve their members. 

Cooper is a lifetime member of 

MoNGA because “The ability to tell our 

story to the legislative community at 

both the state and national level is very 

important. Many key decisions regarding 

our defense, benefits and the readiness 

of the National Guard depend on the 

decisions being made by politicians 

elected to serve. It is imperative they 

have the right information so they can 

make the best decisions.” 

SSgt Jamie Israel, a Missouri Guardsman 

and Grantham student, has been a 

member of MoNGA for five years. “I 

appreciate what the Association has 

done for the Missouri Air National Guard, 

specifically the 139th Air Lift Wing in St. 

Joseph,” said said. “They have fought for 

change and ways to better the National 

Guard – putting Guardsman first.” 

Pursuing a college degree and joining 

a professional organization like MoNGA 

takes commitment. But, remember the 

payoffs – networking, enhanced knowledge, 

promotion opportunities, higher 

earnings and lower unemployment.

Missouri National Guard Association

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